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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Shet 1 W. HEWITT.

MACHINE EOE MAKING WIRE ROPE. l No. 390,967.- PaJteIIted 0013.9, 1888.

WITNESSESC IbD/'ENTORI (No Model.)

W. HEWITT.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

MACHINE FOR MAKING WIRE ROPE.

Pd ente Oct. 9. 1888. N arq I/VTJVESSES W INVEJV'TR aw@ Z Md @CCL-(410,- v

McMike/W (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3. W. HEWITT.

MACHINE EUR MAKING WIRE ROPE.

No. 390,967. Patented Oct. 9, 1888..

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W'ITATSSES, v

WITNESSESK (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

W. HEWITT.

MACHINE FOR MAKING WIRE ROPE.

No. 890,967. Patented Oct. 9, 1888.

N. ramas. mnumgmpher. wmingm n c,

INVENTORZ ilwiren VStearns iarnNr Ormea,

VILLIAM HETWITT, OF TRENTON, NEV JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE TRENTON IRON COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

MACHINE FOR MAKING WIRE ROPE.

SPECIFICATEON forming part of Letters Patent No. 390,967, dated October 9, 1888.

Application filed .Tuly 5, ISES. Serial No. 278,999.

.To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, NVILLIAM HEWITT, a citizen ot' the United States, residing at Trenton, Mercer county, New Jersey, have invented certain Improvements in Machines for Making Wire Rope, of which the following is a speciication.

My invention relates, in general, to a class of devices employed for making continuous C ropes or cables ot' any desired length,-a machine embodying my invention being capable,

in a single continuous operation, of laying or twisting a number of wires around a strand core to form a strand, and of'laying or twisting a number of strands, similarly and as above formed, around a main core to form a completed rope or cable. The machine is, moreover, equally applicable for the manufacture ot continuous ropes or cables from other material than wires. My invention relates, iu particular, to a machine for making wire rope invented by me and patented to me, as assignor to the Trenton Iron Company ot' Trenton, in and by Letters Patent No. 858,663, dated March l, 1887.

The principal object of this improvement, as well as that of the machine upon which it is an improvement, is the construction of a simple, inexpensive, and automatically-oper ating machine in which wire rope or cable can be made from strands laid or twisted about a main core and composed of individual strandwires laid or twisted about strandcores, without either the strand wires or the strand-cores being in the act of laying or twisting subjected to any torsion or twisting with respect to their respective or individual longitudinal axes, and in which a large number of strand-f0rmers can, by reason of their disposition with respect to each other and to the strandcore bobbins in connection with which they operate, be brought within a small diametric or cylindriform compass, in order to permit of the rapid revolution ot the machine as an entirety. A further object of this improvement is the provision of improved means for preserving in the flier frames which carry the strand wire bobbins of the strand formers, a given directional relationship throughout their revolution 5o about the axes ot' the strand former of which they are members, the said improved means (No model.)

being of a character especially applicable to such tlier frames of a strand former as are represented and described in my patent referred to, and as are, axially considered, disposed in a conically convergent series, so to speak, that is to say, in a series the iiier frames of which 4are all inclined inward at their upper extremities toward the axis ot' the strand former of which they are members, so that the upper 6o extremity of each flier frame is nearer to said axis than the lower extremity.

AMachinery embodying a good form of my present improvements is represented in the accompanying drawings and described in this specification, the particular subject matter claimed as novel being hereinafter definitely specified.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevational View of the entire machine, 7o sectional however in the plane of the dotted line 3-4 of Fig. 3, and sight being taken in the direction of the arrows upon said line. By the foregoing section one of the strand formers of the lower series and one of the strand formers ofthe upper series are removed, as are also the two strand core bobbins which operate in connection with said strand formers. For greater simplicity of illustration, each of the strand formers is shown in section, the rear 8o portion only of each being shown; and all of the bobbins for the strand wires, the strand wires themselves, the strand cores, and the main core, are omitted. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, elevational view, partially sectional, cfa portion of the carrying and driving spider, of one of the strand formers of the lower series, and of a portion ofthe gearing for preserving in the carriers for the strand core bobbins a given directional relationship. In this view, 9o for greater simplicity, but two of the flier frames of the strand former are represented. Fig. 3 is a plan of the carrying and driving spider and ofthe gearing for preserving in the carriers for the strand core bobbins a given directional relationship, the section being sup posed in the plane of the dotted line l-2 ot' Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, central, sectional detail of one of the carriers for the independent strand core bobbins, and of the ecroo centric step, directing disk, and flier spider of the strand former which is in alignment above said carrier, and which operates in connection therewith. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational View, partly sectional, of one of the hinged links for connecting a liier trame with its directing disk. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of the said hinged link, taken in planes of the dotted lines 5-6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a perspective detail of a convenient construction ot' universal joint between the flier shaft of a flier frame and the hinged link in connection with which said shaft operates.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Inasmuch as my present improvements are applicable to the machine described in my patent No. 358,663, referred to, and inasmuch, moreover, as the machine represented in the drawings accompanying this application is not only such a machine as is represented in the said patent, but such a one also as embodies certain other features of construction represented and described in an application for patent for an improvement in machines for making wire rope, tiled by me July 5, 1888; Serial No. TtLOOOf-it will be necessary, for the better understanding ofthe constructions in which my present improvements reside, to first describe herein, as brielly as may be, the machine represented in the accompanying drawings in which my improvements are em bodied.

It is proper again to mention that, for greater clearness of illustration, I have omitted from the i'lier frames of the strand formers ofthe machine as represented in Fig. l, the bobbins which carry the strand wires as well as the strand wires themselves, and have also omitted to represent either the main core or the strand cores, it not being necessary for a clear understanding of my improvements that such representation should be made.

In the drawings, A. represents a main step or hub which is IiXedly erected from abcd plate or upon the ground. Upon this main step is coneentrieally7 mounted for revolution a hollow or tubular vertically erected main shaft C, with which is tixedly connected for revolution (concentric with that of the shaft) a horizontally disposed combined carrying and driving spider I3.

a is an aperture or passage through the main step, which communicates with the hollow interior ofthe main shaft. Through this aperture the main core is led to within the hollow interior ot' the main shaft.

The carrying and driving spider B is a radially-armed or wheel-like contrivance formed or provided with a peripheral carrying rim Z)X which rests upon a series of circumferentially disposed carrying rolls D mounted upon ixed pillow blocks d. As in the case et' the machine patented to me, this carrying and driving spider rests upon and revolves with respect to both the main step and the carrying rolls.

c' is a beveled pinion on the shaft, C, conveniently iu proximity to the step upon which soccer the said shaft rests, which is engaged with a driving beveled wheel cl mounted upon a shaft c the rotation of which is, through the bevel gear c ci, imparted to the main shaft C.

E is an annular toothed rack, conveniently supported upon brackets c so as to be fixed with respect to the earth or the bed plate. The said rack encireles the main shaft and is concentric thereto. This rack is employed to drive the vertical shafts Q, as hereinafter explained.

F is what I term an idler rack,77 supported upon or formed in connection with the lixed annular rack E. The said idler rack also encircles the main shaft and is concentric with said shaft and said fixed annular rack.

G are three idler pinions the shafts g of which are respectively contained in tubular bearings b formed in the carrying and driving spider. Each of these idler pinions is on the side thereot' next the center ofthe machine in engagement with the idler rack F, so that all of the said pinions receive from said rack, in the revolution ol" the machine, a com mon movement otI rotation.

The machine represented being one organ. ized to possess six strand formers, each of the foregoing idler pinions is also on the outer side thereo't'in engagement with two adjacent carrier pinions II, six ot' which in all are emY ployed, which are respectively affixed to the lower extremities of carrier spindles 7L, which respectively extend up through tubular bearings b formed in the arms ofthe carrying and driving spider and the upper extremities of which are alternatelyprovided with the yokes or carriers I and l for the strand core bobbins .I and J'" respectively.

Itwill now be understood that, in the revolution of the machine, all ot' the carrier pinions, and consequently all ofthe carriers with which said spindles are equipped, receive from the idler pinion rotation in the samcdirection, or such a direction as is represented by the arrows applied to said pinions in Fig. 3, and that, therefore, the diameters of the idler rack, idler pinions, and carrier pinions being preferably all equal, the carriers l'or the strand core bobbins are in the revolution of the machine maintained in a given directional rela tionship with respect to each other and the points of the compass. inasmuch as in the mounting of the machine all of the carriers l'or the strand core bohbins are preferably set with respect to their carrier pinions so as to present or trend in the same direction, it is obvious that by reason of the application ol' the above described gearing the said carriers will continue so to trend, and maintain their parallel disposition throughout therevolution of the carrying and driving spider. As,

therefore, the strand core bobbins which are carried by said carriers or yokes, must of necessity maintain the position of their respective carriers, it is obvious that the several strand core bobbins will all trend in the same direction and maintain their parallel disposin IOO TIO

IIS

tion throughout the said revolution of the saidspider. rlhis maintained disposition of the bobbins, therefore, insures against torsion in the strand cores which are wound upon said bobbins.

It is proper here to state that theidler rack, idler pinions, and carrier pinions, above described as a means for preserving a given directional relationship in the carriers of the strand core bobbins, are also shown and described in my pending application above referred to for a machine of a different organization from this. y

It will now be understood in what manner the carrying and driving spider and the main shaft are together rotated, and also in what manner the directional relationship of the carriers to the strand core bohbins is preserved throughout the revolution of said carriers with the machine.

Fixedly connected with and rotated by the main shaft are a series of, in the form ot' machine represented, triarmed horizontallydisposed spiders, which I, for convenience of nomenclature, term the minor spiders,77 and of which I designate the lowermost K, the middle K, and the upper K2,-the said letters, to avoid unnecessary enumeration, being respectively applied to the several arms which, in fact, compose the said respective spiders. The three arms composing the middle minor spider, K, are disposed in line above three alternate arms of the six-armedcarrying and driving spider B; and between the said three alternate arms ofthe carrying and driving spider and the three arms oi' the middle minor spider, K', are supported, both for revolution about the main shaft and for rotation about their own axes, a series of three strand formers, which I term the lower series, and which contain, surround, or inclose, the strand core hobbins J, and are provided with a series of iiier frames for strand wire bobbins, hereinafter described.

The three arms of the upper minor spider, K2, and the three arms of the lower minor spider, K, are disposed in line above each other, and are, moreover, so disposed that cach of the said three arms of each of the said minor spiders, K and K2, are staggered with respect to, or interdisposed as regards radial disposition, between the three arms of the middle minor spider,r K. Between the arms of the upper and lower minor spiders are supported and sustained, both for revolution about the main shaft and for rotation about their own axes, a series of three additional strand-formels, which I term the upper series, and which are provided with a series of iiier frames for strand wire bobbins, herein-V after referred to.

The strand core bobhins JK, which operate in connection with said upper series of strand formers, are not placed within the circle of the strand-wire bobbins of said strand formthe said strand formers upon the three arms of the carrying spider, which, in the mounting of the machine, are in line below the arms of the lower minor spider K, and which alternate with the other three arms of said carrying-spider, which, as already explained, support t'ne three strand-formels of the lower series.

It is, of course, to be understood that this description is directed to the specific appara` tus represented in the drawings, which, as stated, happens to be an apparatus employing six strand former-s and capable of producing six strands only, but that it is perfect-ly possible to organize a machine operating upon the principle invented by me which shall be provided with a greater or a less number of strand formers than six.

It will now be apparent that there are in the machine under discussion three lower strand formers, which, for convenience, I designate the lower series, and three upper strand formers, which I similarly designate the upper series, and that by reason of the fact that all of the arms of the several minor spiders are of the same length and the arms of the carrying and driving spider, in etfect, of the same length, each of the said strand-formers (which, as already explained, are supported between the said spiders) is, as will be un derstood by reference to Fig. 8, at the same radial distance fr om the main shaft, although with regard to circumferential disposition the said three strand formcrs of the lower series alternate with the three strand formers of the upper series.

Inasmuch as the three minor spiders are xedly connected with the main shaft and the main shaft ixedly connected with the carry ing and driving spider, the revolution imparted to the main shaft, in the manner hereinbefore explained, will occasion the revolution of all the strand formers with respect to the vertical axis of the main shaft, the said revolution being that necessary to bring to pass the laying or twisting of the strands, formed, as hereinafter explained, in therespective strand formers, about the main core, which is carried up through thc main shaft.

As all of the strand formers are of the same construction, a description of one will suffice for all.

The strand formers represented are each provided with twelve strand-wire bobbins, so as to be adapted to lay twelve strand wires, about a strand core, to form a strand.

Each strand former is composed,essentially, of a rotatable housing or frame-work provided with a series of strand wire bobbins. I prefer to construct these housings each of a tlier spider -L connected with and supporting what I terma tripod-frame,7 LX, which sustains a hollow vertical strand former shaft, Z, the upper extremity of which is journaled in an arm of a minor spider and provided with a strand-laying head, Z2. In the machine represented I employ twelve strand Wire bobbins.

There being, as will now be understood, six

IOO

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strand core bobbins in all, one operative in connection with each strand former, all upon practically the same level, it will be apparent that, inasmuch as three of these strand core bobbins are operative with the three strand formers which constitute the upper series, these three strand core bobbins must be carried by the three yokes or carriers IX, which are cach independent carriers and not like the other three yokes orcarriersl inclosed within housings and encircled by the i'lier frames of the strand formt-rs of the lower series. These three independent yokes or carriers l are continued up above the gudgeons of their strand core bobbins JX, and provided each with a hollow carrier shaft t, Fig. 4t, which passes through a bearing k formed in an arm of the lower minorspider K, upon which arm one ofthe strand foriners of the upper series rests or has bearing. The three independent strand core bobbins J, therefore, operate respectively in conjunction with the three strand formers of the upper series of strand formers, which, as already stated, are intermediate between the strand formers of the lower series.

The strand cores which are carried upon the independent strand core bobbins Jx are led up through the axial apertures of the carrier shaft i, and thence up through the strand former shafts Z of the strand formers in alignment above said shafts to the strand laying heads Zi, each of which, as is usual, contains a die.

M are horizontally disposed eccentric steps, which respectively operate in connection with the respective strand formers, the three steps which operate in connection with the lower serios of strand formers resting or being stepped upon the bearings b in the carryinganddriving spidenasshown in Fig. 2, and being keyed tothe carrier spindles h ofthe carriers I which operate in connection with said lower series ot' strand formels, and the three disks which operate in connection with the strand formers of the upper set resting or being stepped upon the bearings r of the lower minor spider K, as shown in Fig. 4, and being keyed to the carriershafls which project upwardly from the carriers '1iJ` of the independent strand core bobbins JK.

Each of the foregoing eccentric steps M is eccentric with respect to the spindle lt or shaft iz", as the case may he, to which it happens to be keyed, and each is equipped with an annular ring N, which l term a directing disk, and which fioats, rides, or rotates upon it.

The flier spiders ofthe lower series of strand formcrs which are stepped upon the eccentric steps of said strand foriners, are free to rotate with rcspcct to the carrier spindles h as gudgeons with respect to which they are concencentrically mounted. The i'iier spiders of the upper series of strand foi-mers are similarly disposed and free to rotate with respect to the carriershafts ix.

It having been explained that the carriers of the strand core bobbins maintain a given trend and directional relationship throughout their revolution about the main shaft, it will be readily understood that the eccentric steps, which, as stated, are, through the carrier spindies and carrier shafts, respectively connected with said carriers, are maintained in a similar given trend and directional relationship throughout their revolution about the main Shaft.

The tripod frame of each strand former housing is conveniently equipped with an upper circular bearing ring l" and with a lower circular bearing ring Z4, the said two rings being preferably disposed in parallel horizontal planes at a distance apart about equal to the length of the flier frames. The upper ring Z is provided with a series of holes or perfor-a tions Z5, and the lower ring l" with other holes or perforations Z in alignment with those of the upper ring, and the said two series ofperforations serve as or constitute bearings, re-

spectively, the upper for the tubular gudgeons p which extend upwardly from the flier frames P, and the lower for the tlier shafts p"'- which extend downwardly from said iiier frames. As will be apparent, therefore, the flier frames rest solidly upon the lower ring Zl of their `flier spider, being preferably formed with a broad bearing base, as shown in Fig. 5. By virtue of this construction the entire weight of the fliers aud their contained bobbins and strand wires is superimposed direct upon and borne by the flier spider and its lower ring, a con struction insuring both stability and durability.

Thc tripod frame of each strand former is, as stated, conveniently equipped to maintain a series of radially disposed tlier frames, earriers, or revoluble housings, l?, for carrying the strand wire bobbins O, shown in Fig. 2. Each of the V[lier frames of said strand-wire bobbins is preferably inclined inwardly from the vertical, as represented in the drawings, so that the various strandwires led from the strand-wire bobbins will pass in a direct line through the upper tubularjournals, p, of the flier frames up to the strandlaying heads l,

` with which t-he strand formers are, as stated,

respectively provided.

In order to effectuate the laying or twisting of the strand-wires about the strand cores, it is, of course, essential to revolve the strandformers about their respective axes, and this l accomplish by providinga series of vertical shafts, Q, preferably corresponding in number with the number ofstrand formers, andjournaled in boxings q, respectivelyformed in the minor and inthe carrying and driving spiders which shafts are below said last named spider equipped with driving pinions gx which engage with the fixed annular toothed rack E. lt is obvious that, as the said carrying and driving spider is revolved, the said driving pinions (1X will be rotated by their revolutionary engagement with the said iixcd rack E, which latter, as stated, is concentric with the axis of rotation of the carrying and driving tof,

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spider, and that therefore all of the said shafts Q will be simultaneousl y rotated.

Three of the shafts Q have vertical extension to the upper minor spider K2, and three of them but tothe middle minor spider K. The threelonger shafts are employed to occasion the revolution about their own axes of the three upperstrandformers. Thethrecshortershafts are employed for a similar purpose in connection with the three lower strand formel-s. Each vertical shaft Q is at its upper extremity provided with a driving toothed wheel, g', which,through theintervention of idler toothed wheels q2 and g. journaled upon the minor spiders, occasions the rotation ofa driven toothed wheel, qt, conveniently mounted upon the strand former shaft l of the particular strandformer in connection with which said train of toothed Wheels operates, and thereby occa` sions the revolution of said strandformer about its own axis.

It will now be understood in what mannerv the strand formers are revolved about the main shaft, and also, in such revolution, rotated about their own axes.

I have heretofore mentioned the importance of avoiding torsion in the strand-wires. In order to such avoidance it is essential that the strand wire bobbins, which, as stated, are grouped radially and revoluble about or with respect to the strand core bobbins, should be so controlled that they shall always, throughout their revolution about the axis of the strand-formers which contain them, bear a predetermined directional relationship to said strand core bobbins, and consequently also to the points of the com pass. This result l accomplish by prolonging the flier shaft px of each flier frame below its bearing ZG in the lower bearing ring Z" of the flier spider which carries it, and by connecting, by means of a universal joint of any preferred character, the lower extremity ofsaid prolonged shaft to the upper extremity ofahinged or jointed link R, the lower extremity of which latter is, for convenience in its application and removal, hinged or pivoted to a link hub V, the depending stem tu of which passes through a bearing a formed for it in the directing disk N which operates in connection with the strand former with a flier frame of which said hub and link connection operates. The gist of this portion of my invention residing in the provision of substantially such jointed, hinged, or pivoted directing links as the foregoing, for the maintenance of a predetermined directional relationship inthe iier frames of a series of convcrgently inclined iiier frames-*it is apparent that it is immaterial how said hinged links as such are formed and applied. A good way of forming and of conveniently applying them is that shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings, in which the lower prolonged eX- tremity of the flier shaft pX is shown as terminating in a fork p2, and in which the upper extremity of the hinged link R is shown as similarly terminating in a fork p3 which is connected with the fork p2 by means of the j ournal-ended cross-shaped bar p* being in effect a double pivot pin with respect to which both forks are journaled and serving to establish between said forks, and consequently between thc flier shaft and the hinged link, a universal joint or connection,-and in which also the hub V is also provided with check pieces 102 through which a pivot pin wpasses, and which are formed to present a basal bearing surface or shoulder by the aid of which the hub proper rests upon the directing disk, the stem w of said hub being, below said disk, retained and j ournaled with respect thereto by the application of a washer wt retained by lock nuts w5 applied to threads formed upon said stem. Other forms of jointed links formally different from those set forth, but adapted to secure the result of ajointed connection between the dier frames and the directing disk may, however, be resorted to.

It is obvious that through the operation of the directing disks and the hinged links aforesaid, the eccentric steps serve to maintain throughout the revolution of the strand formers upon their own axes, a given trend or relation in all of the hinged links and, consequently, in all of the flier frames of the strand wire bobbins with which said links are, as stated, through their flier shafts, connected, and with which said strand formers are pro vided.

From the foregoing relationship of parts it results that each strand wire is presented to its strand laying head without torsion.

It is of course obvious that it is inconsequential in what position the flier frames and their contained bobbins are originally set, as they must necessarily maintain their individual directional relationship to the points of the compass throughout their individual IOO revolutions about the axis of the strand former of which they are members. Thus, therefore, torsion of the strandwires is completely avoided, whether the said strand wire bobbins of given strand formers be all, as represented in Figs. l and 3, originally set parallel, or whether the several strand wire bobbins of a given strand former are originally set at varying angles.

As already mentioned,the three strand formers constituting the lower set are provided with strand core bobbins which are housed within the frame-work, frame, or housing of said strand formers, as a reference to Figs. 1 and 2 will make clear; while the three strand formers which constitute the upper set, operate in conjunction with independent strand core bobbins which are supported direct upon the carrying and driving spider and axially below the said strand formers. All of the said strand-core bobbins are, however, connected with the carrier spindles h of the carrier pinions H in the manner already fully explained.

The object of the foregoing arrangement of the carriers is to avoid lifting the heavily laden strand corc bobbins higher than is acturesented and described in my patent referred Traction is, of course, exerted upon the main core and the various strands to draw them,when laid together as a completed cable, through the die of the head boxing, the rapidity ot' traction measurably determining the amount of twist both in the rope and in the strands. The strand-laying heads are conveniently made of substantially the same construction as the rope-laying head.

As will be perceived, the machine is adapted to make any of the usual kinds of rope. rlhe strand cores, which are made outside of thelnachine and wound upon the strand core bobbins, which are then applied to the niachine, may be either single wires or cords, about which six wires may be laid to form a seven-wire-strand rope; or the strand cores may be of three wires previously twisted together, about which nine wires may be laid to forni a twelve-wire rope, or the strand cores may be of seven wires previously twisted together (six laid around one) about which twelve wires may be laid to form a nineteenwire-strand rope; or the strand cores may be of seven wires twisted together, about which six seven-wire strands may be laid to forni a strand-rope7 as it might be called, sirL such strand ropes being then laid together to forni a larger rope.

It is preferable to drive the strand formers from above rather than from below, the Inode represented in the drawings being a good one. Other means, however, of imparting rotation to said strand formers may, if desired, be resorted to.

Itis apparent that, so far as my invention is concerned with the jointed or hinged link contrivauces described, instead of resorting to the arrangement of carrier pinions, idler pinions, and idler rack, for preserving a given directional relationship in the carriers for the strand core bobbins, which devices are described in my pending application already referred tof-such means as are set forth in my patent referred to may be substituted in their stead. It is also apparent that my jointed or hinged link contrivances referred to are equally applicable in connection with an inclined flier frame itself of a construction diii'erent from that shown in the accompanying drawings, or applied in connection with and forininga meniber of a strand former of a different construction and inode of application from that of the strand foriners herein represented and described. It is obvious, moreover, tha-t it is inconsequential by what means the flier frames are maintained in their inclined position. The circular bearing rings represented and described, are perhaps the most convenient devices to secure the inclined maintenance of the flier frames, but the said frames may be otherwise supported or otherwise `iournaled at will.

Having thus described my invention, I clainiz l. rlhc combination, of a central and revoluble main shaft;--means for operating said main shaft;a lower series of strand formers radially disposed at predetermined distances apart around said shaft, supported from said shaft near its base, and each composed of a revoluble open-centered frame containing a series of radially-disposed flier frames for carrying strand-wire bobbins,-a tirst series ofyokes or carriers for a series of strand core bobbins, each disposed within the open center ot' the revol ublc frame of a given former of said aforesaid lower series of strand-thrillers, and each directly surrounded or encolnpasssed by the iier frames otsaid strand former of said lower series;-an upper series of strand-ibrmers radially disposed at predetermined distances apart around said shaft, supported therefrom upon a level higher than that ofthe lower se ries, alternating with regard to circumferential distribution with the strand-formels of said lower series, and each composed of a revoluble frame containing a series of radially disposed tlier frames for carrying strandwire bobbins5-a second series of single or separate and independent yokes o1.' carriers for strandcore bobbins corresponding in number with the strand formers of the said upper series, in line below said formers, but not centrally disposed therein, and upon thelevel of the strandcore bobbin carriers of the first series of carriers which are disposed within the centers of and operate in conjunction with the lower series of strand formersg-means for preserving in said carriers for said strand core bobbins, a gi ven directional relationship throughout their revolution5-au eccentric step connected with each yoke or carrier of both series5--a directing disl; operatingin connection with each eccentric stepg-aud jointed links, in series corresponding with the series of the tlier frames ot' each strand former, applied to said directing disks,--substantially as and for the purposes set forth. p

2. The combination, with a main shaft,-of two series of strand formers supported from said shaft, grouped around it on different lev. els, and successively alternating or staggered,--a series of separate and independent carriers for strand core bobbins, corresponding in number and in radial disposition with the several strand formers, together composing the said two series, but all placed upon a common level, being substantially that of the lower of the two series of strand for1ners;-- means, substantially such as set forth, for preserving in said carriers forsaid strand core bobbins a given directional relationship through- ICO IIO

out their revolutiong-an eccentric step connected with each yoke or carrier of both series;-a directing disk operating in connection with each eccentric step;-and jointed links, in series corresponding to the series of the ilicr frames of each strand former, applied to said directing disks-substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. The combination to form a strand former for a Wire rope machincf-of a rotatable housing or frame5-a series of convergently inclined ier frames, for carrying strand Wire bobbins, carried by and journaled in said housing, and provided with flier shafts eX- tending through their bearings in said housing;-a carrier for a strand core bobbin the carrying shaft or spindle ofwhich is in alignment with the axis of revolution of said housing5-an eccentric step fixcdly connected with the spindle or shaft of said carrier;a directing disk applied to said stepg-pivoted link hubs, corresponding in number with the nurnber of fiier frames, applied to said directing disk5-and hinged links pivoted to the flier shafts and connected with the hubs, -substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with a rotary main shaft, of a number of strand formers disposed radially around the said shaft, means for in1parting separate rotation upon their axes to the said strand formers as they move around the axis of the said shaft in the revolution of the latter, a series of inclined iiier frames disposed radially upon each of the said strand formcrs, an eccentric step in proximity to each of said strand formers, a directing disk operating in connection With eacheccentric step, jointed links, in series corresponding with the series of the flier frames of each strand former, applied to the said flier frames and directing disks, and means for preservingin said eccentric steps a given directional relationship throughout their revolution with the main shaft, substantially as described.

5. The combination witharotary main shaft, of a number of strand formers disposed radially around the said shaft, means for imparting separate rotation upon their axes to the said strand formers as they move around the axis of the said shaft in the revolution of the latter, a series of inclined flier frames disposed radially upon cach of the said strand formers, yokcs or carriers for strand core bobbins corresponding in number with the strand formers, means for preserving in said yokes or carriers a vgiven directional relationship throughout their revolution with the main shaft, an eccentric step connected with each yoke or carrier, a directing disk operating in connection with each eccentric step, and jointed links, in series corresponding with the series ofthe ier frames of each strand former, applied to the said flier frames anddirecting disks, substantially as described.

In testimony whereofI have hereunto signed my name this 2d day of July, A. D. 1888.

WILLIAM HEWITT.

In presence of- J. BoNsALL TAYLOR, F. NORMAN DIXON. 

